Five community members make up the Bellingham School District's Board of Directors. Registered voters elect Board members for terms of four years. The School Board has governance responsibilities in these main four areas: vision, accountability, structure and advocacy. The School Board believes that effective public school education must be directed toward common needs of all children, but must also consider the unique differences and needs of individual children. The School Board directors are members of the Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) and follow their Code of Governance. Although it provides overall governance of the district, the Board employs and empowers a professional staff of administrators led by the Superintendent to carry out the district's daily operations and pursue short- and long-term goals.
Community engagement is a vital part of our school district's success. Community members who have feedback or concerns for the school district (regarding operations) or School Board (regarding policy) are encouraged to contact the person closest to the situation first in order to have their issue addressed most effectively and efficiently. Click here to learn whom to contact and how.
The School Board is committed to open governance and transparent communication that includes listening to stakeholders of students, staff, parents/families and community members. The Board provides several options for listening to community members: